He received medical attention after going into cardiac arrest but was pronounced dead at around 3am.

The incident has now been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

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Atkinson, who scored 38 goals in 114 appearances for Villa, scored in the League Cup final win over Manchester United in 1994.

In a statement the force said: “Upon arrival Taser was deployed and a 48-year-old man, who subsequently received medical attention, was pronounced dead at approximately 3am.

“West Mercia Police are unable to comment any further as the incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) as is normal procedure and will assist the IPCC with their enquiries.”

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We were called by West Mercia Police to an address in Meadow Close in the Trench area of Telford at about 1.45am this morning.

“An ambulance was dispatched and upon arrival found a man who had been Tasered.

“As he was being conveyed to Princess Royal Hospital, his condition deteriorated and he went into cardiac arrest.

“Despite the efforts of the crew and hospital staff, it was not possible to save him and he was confirmed dead at hospital, shortly after arrival.”

It follows the death of ex-soldier Spencer Beynon in June, after he was Tasered by police in Llanelli, South Wales, after stabbing a dog and then himself.

Friends said he had suffered mental health problems after leaving the military.

Last year police use of Tasers, which are intended as a non-lethal weapon, went up slightly towards the end of 2015 with 10,329 uses by forces in England and Wales, a two per cent rise on the previous year.

However, of those, 19 per cent (1,921) were discharges; a decrease of three per cent from the previous year.